Proposal debated to stabilize health care: Reinsurance could lower premiums, but premiums could go up anyway
One of the sticking points as Minnesota leaders debate a proposal called “reinsurance” to try to stabilize the state’s individual health care market is how much of an effect it will actually have.
Gov. Mark Dayton, on Thursday, March 16, criticized health insurers for not being willing to make firm promises to sell affordable insurance if lawmakers spend up to $300 million in taxpayer money on reinsurance. (more…)
Legislative Update – February 17, 2017
ACA and Medicaid Expansion Alert
The future of our Medicaid funding faces its greatest threat in years. Congress is considering reforms that would further challenge our ability to provide quality care to our poorest residents. These proposals could dramatically reduce funding to the states and eliminate supplemental funding mechanisms.
We rarely ask every member of our entire, nationwide database to get in touch with Congress on an issue. This is one of those times. This is too important. (more…)
Insurance Premium Relief Bill Introduced
The Minnesota Senate voted Thursday to send $300 million in state relief to people struggling with surging health insurance bills, but the party-line vote has the Legislature’s Republican majority headed for conflict with Gov. Mark Dayton and DFLers. (more…)
Palliative Care Advocacy in Minnesota
In an effort to be FOR real care and not just against assisted suicide this week saw the introduction of Senate file 112 — Chief Author Housley, a bill that would create an advisory committee on palliative care within the MN Department of Health. (more…)
Organizations join forces to further palliative care, oppose physician-assisted suicide
Despite the withdrawal of a bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide earlier this year, state and national organizations including the Catholic Health Association of Minnesota and the Minnesota Catholic Conference continue to have concerns about the issue’s status in Minnesota. (more…)
Annual Meeting of CHA Minnesota – October 13th
The Catholic Health Association of Minnesota will be hosting their Annual Meeting on October 13, 2016 at the Carondelet Center in St. Paul. MC Sullivan, the Director of the Initiative on Palliative Care and Advanced Care planning of the Archdiocese of Boston, will keynote the date with a presentation and discussion on Physicians Assisted Suicide.
For complimentary registration, contact Toby Pearson at chamntoby@aol.org or 651.503.2163.
Session Closing Chaos: Special Session in the Wings?
In the waning hours of the 2016 legislative session, lawmakers wrapped up a supplemental budget bill and a tax bill, but failed to pass a comprehensive transportation package, a bonding bill, or a plan for implementing federal Real ID requirements. The breakdown came after hours of negotiations and lengthy floor sessions. The tax bill passed by the Legislature was ultimately pocket vetoed by Governor Mark Dayton on June 6.
Net-zero HHS agreement invests in some vulnerable Minnesotans; misses opportunity to help many more
Sunday morning, the Supplemental Budget Conference Committee approved House File 2749, which spells out the near future of Minnesota’s Health and Human Services (HHS) budget. (more…)